Strawberry-Almond Cream Tart

I've been watching Pushing Daisies ,a television series of a pie maker who has a magical touch. A touch that brings all things dead back to life but if he touches it again..... dead again ....FOREVER. It's a very cute show but what does this have to do with today's blog?

Pies and Tarts.

I have been inspired by the pie maker. Seeing all the large mounds of dead fresh fruit pies and tarts makes my mouth water and my heart desire to make things like that. So off to the commissary I went and bought lbs of fresh strawberries.

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:
 9 sheets of honey graham crackers
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 teaspoons water
cooking spray

*use a 9 inch round romovable- bottom tart pan, 9 inch springform pan, or a 10 inch pie dish

Filling:
2/3 cup light cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8-1/4 teaspoon almond extract *I prefer a mild almond flavor so I use 1/8*

Topping:
6 cups small fresh strawberries, divided
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Preheat oven to 350. Place crackers in food processor, and process until it's a crumble. Add crust sugar, butter and water; pulse until moist. Spray pan with cooking spray. Place the mixture in pan, pressing into bottom and up sides. bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. cook completely on wire rack.

Combine cream cheese, sugar and extracts in bowl until creamy and smooth. Spread filling mixture evenly over bottom of crust.

Place 2 cups of strawberries in food processor, puree. combine puree, 2/3 cup sugar, and cornstarch in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil, stir constantly. Reduce to low heat; cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool to room temp. Stirring occasionally.

Combine 4 cups of strawberries and lemon juice; toss to coat. Arrange berries, bottom up. Spoon glaze evenly over berries. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

ENJOY!!!

I enjoyed making the tart and can see many more in the future. Thanks to the pie maker and his magical fingers I will be gracing my friends and family with a boat load ( no pun intended ) of pies and tarts thsi summer. The pie maker is my inspiration who has inspired you to create?